is it the end? vestibular migraine or worse.. help?

[ricewithheadache]

Where to start, where where - I've ready SO MANY of the topics and have to admit it helps.

2 months ago I 'went blind' for a half hour, to say I freaked out is an understatement, I felt like someone had just canceled the rest of my life.

I got over it and then BAM one month ago it happened again - 30 min of semi-blindness with some flashing lights. Sort of like a bad mushroom trip I had many years ago.

I did research and realized it was classic symptoms of 'migraine with aura' - wow, sweet - so I'm not going blind - i just have migraines..

In my case I believe (and I'm throwing it out there for anyone elses benefit) my migraines were caused by EXTREME eye strain - each time i had been wearing my one-day-disposable contacts for up to two weeks (stupid) each time I had a migraine it was when I just woke up and I could barely open my eyes cause of extreme dry eyes and walked out into the sunlight... Hello migraine.

Since then I've gotten some glasses and taken care of my eyes and have had no more symptoms of migraine with aura or even the usual 'spotting' that i used to get on daily basis.

Not the rough part.

my last migraine with aura (one month ago) passed in about 1/2 hour - but it came with pain.. yikes - around my eyes and temples - as many of you know; NOT FUN.

I was traveling in Japan at the time and I had to stay in my hotel for the next 3 days because of severe motion sickness, riding in taxis, riding on the train made me want to vomit (I didn't)

This too I've read is a classic symptom of vestibular migraines.

it's been 4 or 5 weeks since then - the migraine w/ aura is long gone, the motion sickness is gone - but every day I (try) to live with this awful light-headed sensation, 'light-headed' is not exactly right - almost surreal - like a bad trip.

When I wake up I feel GREAT, I can work out, have sex, lift weights with no problems, I can drive my motorbike no prob.. But send me to the grocery store and I feel like I'll fall over and pass out - I'm extremely over-sensitive to visual stimuli..

I don't fall over, don't pass out, but I DO just feel like something is very very wrong' - I usually run home take a nap and as soon as I wake up everything is fine again. The light-headed symptoms don't develop until I'm up and about for about 3 hours.

I also suffer from panic attacks - (since I was 15 - I'm 35 now).. It can do some really strange things to me - 2 years ago I walked around with 25+ daily heart palpitations for no good reason until I got over that. So part of me wonders if 'going blind' was just really traumatic and that the dizziness is just the panic attack coming around for a visit.

Why I don't think it's a brain tumor -
I read you get headaches (I don't), esp in the mornings or when exercising, lifting things - nope.

Why I don't think it's neurological -
i did all the self-tests; walking heel to toe with my eyes closed, balancing tests, scraping the bottom of my foot to see which way my toes curl, neck exercises - all fine

It could be sinus?
I did have some unpleasant drainage last week? Not normal for me

It could be inner ear?
I do have my ears pop for no reason very occasionaly - something that never normally happens.

Also when the 'event' comes on I can click my teeth together and can hear it loudly in my head - as if there were pressure in my ears or head - just like when I have a head cold.. weird eh? but when the dizziness is gone I click my teeth and it's normal..

If I drink a few beers the sensations dull (or masks it) and if I take half a xanax it calms down a little but not fully - the only treatment seems to be to take a nap (i'm sleepy alot lately) or to avoid situations that really freak me out - stores, malls, people..

has ANYONE got any advice for me? Or has anyone gone through this?

I live in the Philippines (a remote place) so there's no easy access to a Dr, and even if there were - I doubt I could go find a migraine specialist like I could if I were back in New York.

I have access to meds and was thinking about taking magnesium supplements, or trying out topamax or effexor.. any advice?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scaredphysio]

Dear you...sorry to hear that you had this scary experience...yr symptoms do sound like you MIGHT have a vestibular disorder...and it sounds like the visual component...particulary the sensation of falling over in a supermarket...and ear infections/trouble might back this up.  The sensation of motion sickness and lightheadedness could also be related.

What i suggest you do is go and see yr doc...ask about seeing an ear, nose and throat specialist...who can test you.  Also mention the 'sudden blindness' and migraine...and see what he/she thinks.  However also mention that since seeing an optican and getting glasses this has now resolved.  Yes there could be a psychological component...however only a doc can decide this.  This is only advice I am giving you and in no way should you base/diagnose yourself on my suggestions.

Hope that helps...x

[ricewithheadache]

BTW - no sinus problems I know of.. However when I get light-headed if I click my teeth together it sounds as if there is pressure in my head - (it's louder) when no light-headed - sounds normal. So I was wondering if the 'pressure' could be due to inner ear or sinus.

The visual symptoms were CLASSIC aura - the lights, inverted 'C', haze.. it only occurs after pretty severe eye strain - and when I walk into bright light.

Decreased blood to the brain? You would think I would also have impared cognitive function - however so far I don't - just fell tipsy and like I'm going to fall over..
;)

I have a HORRIBLE diet of fast food - so I've switched to better eating and am taking a multivitamin and an extra dose of Magnesium to see if this helps as well.

[ricewithheadache]

Wow - thanks so much for the detailed response.

I don't have headaches, in fact I've only had the one after my last migraine with aura.
And I've only had 2 of those in my life (I'm 35).

The aura lasted about 20 - 30 min and went away, the headache lasted about 1hr and left.

After the last migraine with aura I suffered 3 days of intense motion sickness - that too went away.

Now 1 month later I just suffer a light-headed feeling - like I'm really spacey and stoned through-out the day. It only occurs once I'm out of bed and moving around for 3+ hours, as soon as I nap (if only for a half hour) it goes away and 'resets' itself.

Sometime I go a week without any, but currently it's daily...

It's really annoying, Advil Migraine doesn't touch it - but Tylenol Extra Strength (1 or 2 pills) seem to work for awhile. Xanax may have some effect as well - or could just be placebo.

I am a bit of a hypochondriac and probably will NOT go get the tests done that you suggest. Instead I'm just looking for a way to deal with this..

I think it's just Migraines although i'm a little concerned about why I'm getting them out of the blue, also somewhat concerned it may be lack of oxygen as it makes sense that I only get light-headed when sitting/standing up for awhile.

Thanks alot.!!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

With what you have posted here, I suggest that you seek a consult with an ENT specialist. There are several factors here that may suggest that most of your symptoms point towards a diagnosis of migraine headaches with aura. However, migraines are only given as a diagnosis when all other underlying organic causes have been excluded. In your case, you have mentioned of a sinus problem (is this correct).I suggest that you have this further evaluated. Also, an evaluation of your cardiac function and assessment of the cervical spine and neck vessels will also be necessary. Light headedness and visual symptoms may be due to decreased blood supply to the brain as in the case when neck vessels are stenosed or narrowed. Also, a baseline EEG will be able to help  exclude an underlying seizure disorder as certain seizures like  complex seizures may not necessarily present with overt motor manifestations such as convulsions.

For how long do your visual symptoms last? Does it last for more than an hour?

How about your headaches, do they last for more than 4 hours ?

Where in the Philippines are you? There are very good centers and physicians in the Philippines. If you are in Manila, you may want to visit St Lukes Medical Center,Asian Medical Center, and Makati Medical Center for a thorough evaluation.

As with your medications, I do not advice that you take topamax or any supplements at this point. Topamax has its side effects and you need a physician's close supervision when taking these.

A definite diagnosis of a migraine headache is needed before migraine medications are prescribed.